Valve and closure construction for aerosol devices



Sept. 18, 1962 VALVE AND CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION FOR AEROSOL DEVICES FiledJan. 20, 1960 \l 1 .54 30: f E? 6:4 5

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P. H. SAGARIN 3,054,536

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INVENTOR.

Philip H. Saga-Mn 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. H. SAGARIN Philip H. SQEEfi-mVALVE AND CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION FOR AEROSOL DEVICES Filed Jan. 20, 1960Sept. 18, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 P. H- SAGARIN VALVE AND CLOSURECONSTRUCTION FOR AEROSOL DEVICES Filed Jan. 20, 1960 Sept. 18, 1962 A wrD/\ H 5 N W. 1 R m AA AN w... mm T a \11 I1 N E W a J A Philip H. 5

Anna/av E 3,5 1,536 Patented Sept. 18, 1962 3,954,536 VALVE AND CLGSURECGNSTR'UfiTlON FQR AEROSQL DEVICES Philip H. Sagarin, Bridgeport, Conn.,assignor to VCA Incorporated, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation ofConnecticut Filed Jan. 20, 1960, Ser- No. 3,619 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-394)This invention relates to small aerosol devices of the type having apressurized container intended to be held in the hand for dispensingvarious substances, and more particularly to valve and closurestructures as employed in such devices to close the pressurizedcontainer and eifect and control the dispensing of the contents thereof.

In small handheld aerosol devices employing pressurized containers, thedispensing of the aerosol substance is controlled by a manually operablevalve which, in its most common form, is constituted as a small hollowvalve stem having an annular enlargement constituting the valve proper,the said stem being longitudinally shiftable in a container closurestructure between an extended, valve-closing position and a depressed,dispensing or valve-opening position.

Early in the development of these aerosol devices the container closurestructure and also the valve stem were made up of a multiplicity ofparts, mostly of metal, secured together in assembled relation byvarious means. Thus, the cooperable portions or components constitutingthe valve mechanism were fabricated as separate pieces, some of whichwere assembled to or united with the container closure structure, and toobtain certain functions such as a metering discharge, smooth action ofthe valve stem, etc. different kinds of separate metal parts or pieceswere utilized, in conjunction with sealing and valve washers, packings,and the like. This prior type of construction accordingly wascharacterized by a relatively large number of components, generally ofmetal which is susceptible to corrosion, and by various assemblyoperations, all of which resulted in high fabricating cost and at timesimpaired operation.

More recently, there has been a trend toward simplification and economy,as by a reduction in the number of parts or components utilized in thevalve and closure structures, while at the same time moving towardgreater reliability. In attaining this, molded pieces were employed, andas the art developed further there were produced resilient closure andvalve structures wherein a single molded or cast housing memberconstituted not only a main closure or sealing element for the containerbut also provided the valve housing and an expansible valve ring orsleeve portion for cooperation with the movable valve stem. Suchconstruction eliminated a number of individual components and resultedin desirable economies in the fabrication and assembly of the devices,and provided in addition an improved operation in some respects.However, where such molded components as valve housings and the likehave been relied on in a pressurized aerosol device there existed theproblem of effectively mounting the plastic closure-housing member andalso the problem of preventing leakage, not only when the container wasmade of metal as in the form of a can but also where the smaller-mouthedglass or similar bottles were utilized.

A number of such problems attendant the use of molded unitary resilientplastic closure and valve structures are solved by the presentinvention, and one object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved combination valve seat and closure construction for smallaerosol devices of the type outlined above, wherein a simple yetextremely effective and reliable seal of the pressurized container bythe closure is had while at the same time utilizing a resilient moldedplastic main component constituted as a combined valve housing,expansible valve ring or sleeve, and main closure member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified andeflFective combined sealing and mounting means in conjunction with aresilient plastic member constituted as both a closure and valve seat orpart.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in an aerosol deviceof the above type an improved clamping or crimping type seal andmounting means employing axial or radial forces or both, in conjunctionwith a molded, resilient valve housing, closure and expansible valvesleeve element wherein the said means does not adversely affect orimpair the operation of the valve or flow-control structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved expansiblevalve sleeve and closure structure for aerosol devices as above setforth, wherein relatively few, simple components are involved ineffecting the improved seal and mounting, and wherein the assembly ofsuch components may be economically effected, thereby to not appreciablyincrease the overall cost of the device.

The above objects are accomplished, in accordance with the invention, bythe provision of a novel combination including a molded resilient valvesleeve, valve housing and closure element having an exterior, resilientbut stilf, mounting and sealing ledge or flange in conjunction withannular, resilient, relatively soft and readily compressible sealingmeans disposed against the supporting flange or ledge of the moldedmember, and with clamping or abutment structures which are cooperablewith the flange or ledge. This combination is characterized by threeimportant factors, these being the use of a resilient yet relativelystilt plastic substance or composition; a relatively thin and readilyyieldable wall section constituting the expansible valve ring or sleeveportion, and a relatively thick or heavy and unyielding wall sectionforming or adjoining the sealing and mounting flange or ledge of themember. The organization further may involve a second or an additionalannual soft sealing means, and the latter may be arranged for engagementwith another surface of the ledge or flange, and in some circumstanceswith the lip portion of the pressurized container whereas thefirst-mentioned soft sealing element is engaged especially with theinner surface of the metal mounting cup or shell of the closureassemblage. Further, eflective and simple confining means may beprovided for the said soft sealing elements, and the supporting flangeor ledge of the molded member may be provided with a specialconfiguration which is cooperable with one of the said sealing elements,all to the end that the molded member will be reliably held in place bythe mounting cup or shell and will effect a perfectly tight and reliableseal of the container in conjunction with the container lip throughoutthe useful life of the aerosol device, without impairment of the valvefunction.

In the construction where a soft annular sealing element is arranged forengagement with the container lip such element has appreciablethickness, and the special configuration of the supporting flange orledge of the molded member comprises an annular shoulder or beadarranged for imbedment into the said relatively thick sealing annulus,thereby to effectively cope with variations of the container lip and toprovide an effective seal thereto at all times.

At the upper side of the resilient supporting flange or ledge of themolded member a somewhat thinner annular ealing element is provided inaccordance with the invention, the lesser thickness being feasible dueto the greater uniformity which is possible in the configuration of thesupporting flange and mounting cup or shell.

In one form of the invention, to accommodate the thinner sealing elementand to provide a confining means therefor, the upper wall of themounting shell is provided with an upwardly displaced or offsetperipheral portion, providing in the undersurface of said wall a shallowannular groove in which the thinner sealing element is disposed andconfined. In this sealing construction as provided by the invention thesupporting flange of the molded member is subjected tooppositely-directed clamping pressures, such clamping pressures beingexerted or transmitted at least in part by the said two annular sealingelements. In addition the undersurface of the mounting shell is made toengage the upper face of the supporting flange whereby the shell mayconstitute an unyielding, pressure-applying means acting directly on theupper surface of the supporting flange as well as indirectly thereonthrough the medium of the thinner sealing element. I have found that bysuch construction there is efiected a uniformly tight, reliable seal ofthe pressurized container in conjunction with the expansible valvesleeve, valve housing and closure element, and the metal mounting cup orshell. This sealing construction is not only reliable at all times, butinvolves relatively few components which may be readily fabricated andassembled.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simplified valve andclosure construction for an aerosol device, utilizing an easily moldedresilient flanged or ledged closure, housing and expansible valve sleeveelement, wherein the valve spring is disposed remote from the mountingledge or flange and outside of the metering chamber, thereby to providemaximum freedom in the design and size of the said chamber, and insureagainst interference with the valve spring action.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification similar characters ofreference are used to designate like components throughout the severalviews, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an axial sectional view, enlarged, of a novel and improvedvalve and closure construction for an aerosol device as provided by theinvention, illustrating a metering-type valve.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the thinner one of the two sealing elementsassociated with the supporting flange of the molded one-piece valvehousing and closure member as utilized in the construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of a valve and closure construction asprovided by the invention, illustrating a non-metering type valve.

FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of a metering-type valve and closureconstruction intended for use with wide-mouthed containers, as forexample metal cans and the like.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of another valve and closure structureof the metering type, as provided for use with wide-mouthed containers.This valve and closure structure utilizes a valve return spring which isdisposed out of and below the metering chamber.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a valve constructionsomewhat similar to that of FIG. 5, but showing another type of stop orabutment means for the valve return spring.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a valve constructionillustrating yet another type of stop or abutment means for the valvereturn spring.

FIG. 8 is an axial sectional view of a valve construction similar tothat of FIGS. 4-7, but illustrating still another type of stop orabutment means for the valve return spring.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of an aerosol valve andclosure construction illustrating another form of the invention whereinthe mounting flange or ledge of the molded valve housing and closuremember is connected to the lower part of the tubular body portionaerosol valve and closure construction of the type having the valvespring disposed below the metering chamber, this construction beingcharacterized by simple molding of the resilient plastic closure andvalve housing element.

FIG. 11 is an axial sectional view of an aerosol valve constructionillustrating a modified form of snap-in assembly, somewhat similar tothe snap-in assembly of FIG. 9 but adapted for small-mouthed containerssuch as glass bottles and the like.

FIG. 12 is a view partly in axial section and partly in side elevationof a molded plastic valve housing and valve stem assemblage,illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a pressurizedcontainer 10 which may be of the glass bottle type, said containerhaving a reduced neck portion 12 and a top lip 14, the latter includingan annular peripheral exterior bead 16. Disposed within the containerneck portion 12 and extending into the container is a molded one-pieceresilient valve housing and closure member designated generally by thenumeral 18, which has an expansible annular valve ring or sleeve portionadapted to be engaged and slightly spread by a valve stem. The moldedmember 18 may be advantageously constituted of a linear polyethylene orsimilar formulation which is quite stifi although yieldable withoutrupture, having a tough characteristic. This type of material also hassomewhat a memory quality, since when deformed it will always tend toreturn to its original shape. The member or element 18 may have atubular main or body portion 20 which is shown as being slightlytapered, said portion being provided with an annular thin-walled,expansible valve seat configuration 22 in the form of an internalannular shoulder, the valve seat 22 being cooperable with and slightlyspreadable by the lower tapered and cylindrical end portion of avertically movable valve stem 26 which latter is slidably mounted in themolded member 18. The valve stem 26 may also be of plastic, as forexample of nylon (synthetic fibreforming polymeric amide).

The valve construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is of the metering type,and the tapered and cylindrical lower end portion 24 of the valve stemin conjunction with the valve seat 22 comprises a first valve meanswhich controls the flow of the aerosol substance from the container 16into a metering chamber 28 constituted as the bore of the body portion20 of the valve housing 18. Within the metering chamber 28 there isdisposed a helical compression spring 30 at its lower end bearingagainst the internal shoulder 22 and at its upper end engaging a valveenlargement 32 provided on the valve stem 26, said enlargement beingcooperable with a valve disc or seat member 34 and constitutingtherewith a second valve means, by which the flow of aerosol substancefrom the metering chamber 28 out through the discharge orifice of theaerosol device is controlled.

The valve stem 26 has an axial-discharge channel 38 and a lateralopening 36 in its upper portion, the opening 36 being normally disposedabove the valve seat member 34 as shown in FIG. 1. The valve stem 26 isin the non-discharging or closed position as seen in this figure, theclosure being effected by engagement of the valve enlargement 32 withthe valve seat member 34. Such engagement, as will be understood, ismaintained by the compression spring 30.

Upon the valve stem 26 being depressed or shifted downward whenconsidering FIG. 1, the spring 30 will be compressed and the valveenlargement 32 will be separated from the valve seat member 34; also theside opening 36 of the valve stem will be disposed within the meteringchamber 28. In consequence, the contents of the metering chamber, underpressure, will be discharged through the opening 36 and bore 38, andwill issue as a spray from the aerosol device. The depressing of thevalve stem 26 will dispose the lower tapered and ey lindrical portion 24thereof Within and in engagement with the valve seat 22 of the valvehousing 18, thereby shutting ofl' any further flow of the aerosolsubstance from the container it into the metering chamber 28. Upon thevalve stem 26 being released, the return spring 39 will return it :tothe upper position shown in FIG. 1, where the metering chamber is againcharged and the valve means 32, 34 is closed, preventing furtherdischarge of the aerosol substance. The above metering valve action iswell understood in the art.

By the present invention in connection with different types ofcontainers the resilient plastic element 18 with its expansible valvering 22 is securely mounted by means utilizing clamping-type forces,which means also effects a secure seal of the container which is used.In FIGS. 1-3, considered first, a narrow-necked, bottle type containeris utilized. For this purpose the molded valve housing and closuremember 18 has an annular outwardly extended supporting flange or ledge44 disposed intermediate its ends, said flange being engageable with ametallic mounting cup or shell designated generally by the numeral 46,by which the molded member is mounted or secured in place on thepressurized container 10. The mounting shell 46 has a depending skirt orflange portion 48 within which the annular mounting flange 44 of themember 18 is disposed and closely fits, said flange being forced upwardpast inwardly struck nibs 49 in a manner described later in connectionwith FIG. 4 and similar nibs. The skirt 48 surrounds the lip 14 of thecontainer 1%, and is clinched or spun under the bead 16 of the containerlip, as indicated at 50. The mounting shell 46 also has a central,upwardly offset or cupped portion 52 surrounding the upper part of themolded member 18 and enclosing and positioning the valve seat member 34as shown, said cupped portion imparting a desirable stability to themolded member.

In accordance with the invention, in conjunction with the large, radicalsupporting or mounting flange 44 of the molded member 18 there isprovided a novel and improved confined sealing means by which anextremely effective and reliable seal is established between the flange44 and the lip portion 14 of the container, and also between the saidflange and the upper wall 54 of the mounting shell 46. Also, thesupporting flange 44 is given a special configuration or shape at itsundersurface, for engagement with a thick sealing means or element, andas illustrated in FIG. 1 this configuration comprises a sharp or pointedannular bead or rib 56, which is arran ed for imbedment in therelatively thick sealing washer or annulus 58 disposed between theflange 44 and the lip portion 14 of the container 10. It will be notedthat the sealing annulus 58 is confined on four sides, that is, itsupper face is engaged with the flange 44, its lower face engaged withthe lip portion 14, the outer peripheral surface engaged with the skirt48 of the shell 46, and the inner peripheral surface is engaged with thebody portion 2% of the molded member 18. Accordingly, when the sealingmember 58 is subjected to compressive forces it will not be able to flowor be displaced to any appreciable extent even though it will distortsomewhat and accommodate itself to the shouldered undersurface of theflange 44 and to any irregularities in the lip portion 14 of thecontainer 10. The ledge or flange 58 when thus clamped by the wall 54 ofthe mounting shell 46 constitutes a stiffening means which tends tolimit inward collapsing movement of the walls 20 of the valve housing 18whereby interference with the action of the valve return spring 30 isprevented.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, a thin sealingelement 60 is provided, engaged with the upper surface of the supportingflange 44, the said sealing element being appreciably thinner than theelement 58 and being confined by a special configuration given to theupper wall 54 of the shell 46. As seen in FIG. 1, the said wall isprovided with an upwardly displaced annular peripheral portion 62 bywhich there is formed a shallow annular groove at the inside of theshell 46. The said annular groove is arranged to accommodate the thinnerannular sealing element 60 provided by the invention, and to confine thesame as may now be understood from an inspection of FIG. 1. The thinnersealing element 60 is confined-at four sides, that is, its undersurfaceengages the supporting flange 44 of the molded member 18, the uppersurface engages the displaced Wall portion d2 of the shell 46, and theouter and inner peripheral edges engage the corresponding side walls ofthe shallow groove provided by the upwardly displaced wall portion 62.Thus, while some slight distortion of the sealing element 66 may occurwhen the same is subjected to compression, since the element is confinedat all times it cannot cold flow and thus is prevented from beingdisplaced to any appreciable extent.

Also, in accordance with the invention, the yieldablepressure action ofthe sealing element 60 against the supporting flange 44 is supplementedby a non-yielding pressure action on the supporting flange, exerted bythe upper wall portion 54 of the mounting shell 46. When the mountingshell is applied to the container 10 after assembly of the variouscomponents therein, and the portion 50 of the shell clinched under thebead 16, the sealing element 60 will be compressed against the sealingflange 44, and the wall portion 54 of the shell will exert a positiveand non-yielding force on the upper surface of the supporting flange.The lower sealing element 58 will also be compressed and the sealingbead 56 will be imbedded in the element 58 whereby a tight assemblagewill be produced, characterized by an effective seal between thesupporting flange 44 and the lip portion 14 of the container, andbetween the displaced wall portion 62 of the shell 46 and the saidsupporting flange.

I have found that by the above construction it is possible to utilizewith advantage a one-piece molded valve housing and closure member suchas the member 18 while at the same time providing an eflfective andreliable seal in conjunction with the metal mounting cup and thecontainer lip, and such seal is not adversely aflfected by minorvariations in the configuration or dimensions of the container lip.Thus, the valve and closure assemblage has the advantage of economy ofmanufacture by the use of the molded, resilient valve housing andclosure member While at the same time obviating a possible drawback ofsuch member, especially as utilized with containers such as glassbottles or the like, wherein dimensional variations are common. Theimproved valve and closure structure involves relatively few components,which may be economically fabricated and assembled. Moreover, greatreliability is had in the seal which is effected, both during storage ofthe aerosol device and use of the same.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. Thisembodiment is in many respects similar to that described above inconjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, but employs a non-metering type valveassemblage. As shown, the valve stem 26a in FIG. 3 is shorter than thecorresponding stem 26 in FIG. 1, and controls but a single valve means,comprises the enlargement 32a and the valve seat member 34a.

A molded one-piece valve housing and sealing closure member 18a isprovided, held in place by a metal mounting cup 46a in the manneralready explained above. The shell 46a has a depending skirt 48a, andupper walls 541: and 62a, the latter constituting an upwardly offsetportion of the cup. The molded member 18a has an internal,spring-abutting shoulder 22a, and a supporting flange 44a and annularsealing shoulder 56a, these latter two portions being cooperable withupper and lower annular.

sealing elements 60, 58, all as shown.

The construction and functioning of the sealing elements 60, 58 and thesupporting flange 44a are similar to that already described above, andall ofthe advantages as explained above in connection with FIGS. 1 and.2, attributed to the provision and use of such components are had in theembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3.

It will be readily understood that when the valve stem 26a, which isshown in FIG. 3, in its closed position, is depressed or shifteddownward,as seen in this figure, the valve enlargement 32a thereof willbe separated from the valve seat member 34a and the side opening 36a ofthe valve stem 26a will be disposed below the valve seat member,whereupon the aerosol substance may be discharged from the containerthrough the side opening 36a and bore 38a of the valve stem.

V I have found it possible to utilize a resilient molded plastic closureand valve housing element having an expansible annular valve ring orsleeve portion of the type illustrated in FIG. 1, in conjunction withwide-mouthed containers such as metal cans or the like wherein directcontact between the said molded resilient element and the lip portion ofthe container is not feasible due to the enlarged diameter of thelatter. In accomplishing this the annular wall of the tubular bodyportion of the resilient molded element is made appreciably thicker andthe bore thereof is increased in diameter at the mouth or open end ofthe housing, to provide adequate clearance for the valve stem and valvespring even if the said upper end 'is slightly compressed or reduced indiameter by virtue of inwardly directed clamping forces. Such aconstruction is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this figure there is shown ametal mounting cup 64 having an outer peripheral portion 65 arranged forengagementwith the lip or rim of a wide-mouthed container or can. Themounting cup 64 has a raised central portion 66 constituted of agenerally flat, circular apertured top wall 67 and an annular, generallycylindrical side wall or skirt 68, these two walls together'having theform of an inverted cup.

Passing through the center aperture of the top wall 67 is a usual typeof valve stem 26 having a valve enlargement 32, the latter beingengageable with a valve disc or seat member 34 engaged with theunderside of the top wall 67. The valve stem 26 carries the usual valvereturn spring 30 which at its upper end engages the valve enlargement32.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a resilient moldedclosure and valve housing member 69 which is so arranged as to besecurely mounted 'within the portion 66 of the mounting cup 64 and toprovide therewith a reliable seal, the said molded resilient member orelement having an annular expansible valve sleeve portion arranged toreceive and to be slightly expanded by the lower end portion of thevalve stem 26. In providing for a reliable mounting of the moldedresilient member 69 and an effective seal, all without impairing thefunctioning of the valve stem 26, the member 69 at its tubular bodyportion is provided with thickened or heavier walls 71 in conjunctionwith a retainer lip 72, and the bore of the body portion of the memberis preferably tapered so that its larger diameter is at the top of themember.

I have found that, contrary to what might be expected it is possible tosecurely clamp and grip, utilizing inwardly directed radial forces orforce components, the upper or rim portion of a resilient plastichousing member in a manner to provide an effective and reliable seal andalso to not interfere with the longitudinal movements and functioning ofthe valve stem. As seen in FIG. 4, the body portion of the housingmember 69 has a tapered or conical inside wall surface 73, and the smalldiameter of said surface at the lower end of the body portion iscommensurate in size with the outside diameter of the 8 valve spring 30whereby the latter will be received without appreciable looseness in thelower part of the body portion.

When the plastic member 69 is constituted of a resilient but quite stiffcomposition such as linear polyethylene there is suflicient yield orresilience to permit the valve ring or sleeve portion 70 to expandslightly when the valve stem 26 is depressed and enters the valvesleeve, yet sufficient rigidity is had and resistance to deformation atthe relatively thick walls'71 of the molded housing member to permit theledge or flange portion 72 to be firmly gripped in the inverted cup 66by the indented portions 74 so as to effect a secure mounting of themember and also to effect, in conjunction with the valve disc 34, asecure sealing of the container. The amount of compression or distortionof the upper part of the tubular body portion of the resilient valvehousing is not sufficient to appreciably reduce the diameter of the sameor to interfere with the valve action. Thus, by the present invention asillustrated in FIG. 4 there is provided for the first time a novelresilient molded plastic closure and valve housing member having anintegral expansible Valve sleeve portion, wherein by the use of inwardlydirected clamping forces the flexible housing member may be securelymounted on a metal mounting cup and a secure seal effected thereto. Iattribute this in part to the tough, relatively stiff nature of thelinear polyethylene composition, the relatively thin wall sectionprovided at the expansible valve sleeve 70 and the relatively thick wallsection 71 and retention ledge 72 provided for the support of thehousing member on the metal cup 64.

The valve construction shown in FIG. 4 as already stated is of themetering type wherein the valve sleeve or ring portion 7 0 is closed bythe lower end of the valve stem 26 when the latter is depressed. Theconstruction of FIG. 4 is seen to be extremely simple and to involverelatively few components which may be economically fabricated andassembled. Notwithstanding this, there is had a secure mounting of themolded housing 69, and further effected thereby a positive and reliableseal in conjunction with the mounting cup 64.

The center, apertured portion of the top wall 67, surrounding thecentral aperture is preferably drifted or formed upward as shown, toprovide a low annular flange which constitutes a smooth bearing ofincreased area for the valve stem 26 and prevents the latter frombecoming abraided due to the operation of the valve.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. In thisembodiment the mounting cup 64 carries a two-piece molded resilientclosure and valve housing element 75, said element having an uppermounting and valve part 76 and a lower dip tube support and springholder part 77, the said parts being telescopically fitted to each otherby virtue of a cylindrical wall 78 of the lower part 77 beingpress-fitted over the body portion 79 of the upper part 76.

As shown, the wall thickness of the part 79 is quite appreciable, and aledge 80 is provided at the upper end or lip of the said part, furtherstrengthening the same. The ledge 80 is gripped and held by the skirtportion 68 of the metal mounting cup 64 and effects a seal there- (withby virtue of the valve disc 34.

The lower end of the upper part 76 has a thin-walled expansible valvering portion 81 adapted to receive the lower end 82 of a valve stem 83,said stem having a valve enlargement 84 of conical configuration whichis engageable with the valve disc 34. The upper housing part 79 has aconical bore 85 closely spaced with respect to the valve enlargement 84,as shown.

The lower housing part 77 has a cylindrical bore 86 in which there isdisposed a valve return spring 87, said spring engaging and beingpositioned by a nib 88 at the lower tip of the valve stem 83. The lowerhousing part 77 has an integral internal shoulder or a butment 89constituting a stop for engagement with the valve spring 9 87. The usualdip tube 90 is shown as press-fitted in the lower housing part 77 andpositioned by the internal abutment 89.

With this construction as illustrated in FIG. the valve spring 87 is notdisposed in the metering chamber surrounding the lower half of the valvestem 83, but instead is disposed below the expansible valve ring 81.Thus, the valve spring is not in the portion of the molded resilientvalve housing element which might become distorted due to clamping andmounting forces. Moreover, by disposing the valve spring 87 below theexpansible valve ring 81, a greater freedom is had in designing themetering chamber and such chamber is no longer limited by the necessityof accommodating the valve return spring. Accordingly, the meteringchamber may be made as small as might be desired or required for certainconditions of use. It is now seen that the construction of FIG. 5 ischaracterized by a resilient molded valve housing element having anexpansible thin-walled valve ring or sleeve portion and having athick-walled mounting portion arranged to be clamped and gripped by ametal mounting cup whereby the housing element is securely held in placeand effects a positive and reliable seal of the contents of thecontainer.

In FIG. 6 the construction is generally similar to that of FIG. 5 exceptthat the member 77a is made in one piece and the integral internalshoulder or abutment 89 is omitted. Instead the dip tube 90 is pressfitted against a shoulder 91 in the lower housing part 77a, the upperedge of the dip tube constituting the stop for the valve spring 87.

In FIG. 7 the lower housing part 77b shown therein has an internalannular shoulder 89a which is of triangular configuration in crosssection, with a sloping lower surface to permit the valve spring 87 tobe forced upward past the abutment without having the latter sheared outof place.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. This formis generally similar to that of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 with the exception thatto facilitate the molding of the resilient plastic valve housing theintegral, internal shoulders 89 and 39a are omitted and there isprovided a separate abutment ring 8911, disposed in an internal groove93 provided in the lower portion of the valve housing member 77b.

Still another embodiment of the invention employing a valve springdisposed below and externally of the metering chamber, is illustrated inFIG. 9. In this figure there is shown a resilient molded valve housing770 which differs from the housing 77 in that it is molded in one pieceand has a modified from of expansible valve sleeve portion, togetherwith a modified form of tubular body portion and a modified valve stem.The resilient valve housing 77c has a stepped bore comprising walls 94and 95 constituting a metering chamber, and a third wall 96 within whicha valve spring 87 is disposed. A thin-Walled shoulder 97 is disposedbetween the walls 95 and 96, and a valve stem 83a is provided, having avalve enlargement 84a cooperable with the valve disc 34, and having aslightly tapered valve portion 98 adapted to be received in theexpansible valve sleeve portion 97 and to slightly expand and shut offthe latter when the valve stem 83a is depressed. The valve enlargement8442 of the valve stem is stepped to conform to the steppedconfiguration of the metering chamber of the valve housing 770 wherebyan extremely small volume may be had in such chamber. The resilientvalve housing and closure member 770 has a tapered tubular body portion39 and a mounting flange or ledge arranged for sealing engagement withthe valve disc 34. The metal mounting cup 64a may have an inwardlydisplaced circular portion or bead 191 arranged to engage theundersurface of the mounting ledge 10%, thereby to retain the valvehousing 77c in place on the mounting cup 64a. The ledge 1041 has anexposed annular surface 102 disposed inwardly of the bead 191 toaccommodate an assembly tool whereby the resilient valve housing 770 maybe press-fitted and snapped in place by being forced past the bead 101through the use of such tool.

It will be understood that the valve construction illustrated in FIG. 9is of the metering type, in that when the valve stem 83a is depressed,the slightly tapered portion 98 thereof will be received in and willslightly expand the annular valve sleeve portion 97 of the valve housing770, thereby to shut off the metering chamber from the interior of thecontainer. By the elimination of the valve ring 81 from the valvehousing 7 70 it is possible to mold the latter readily as one piece.

Yet another metering type valve construction made in accordance with theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 10. As shown in this figure, the metalmounting cup 64b has a raised, stepped center portion 105 carrying avalve disc 34a, valve stem 26 and a resilient plastic valve housing 106having an expansible valve ring or sleeve portion 810. The valve housing1136 has a massive mounting flange or ledge 1538 disposed intermediateits ends and connected with the lower end of the tubular body portion inwhich the metering chamber is disposed. The ledge 1&8 is accommodated inan inverted cup portion 110 of the metal mounting cup 64b. The invertedcup portion 111 has inwardly struck dimples or nibs 111 arranged toengage and retain the flange or ledge 108 in place. For sealingpurposes, a soft and resilient sealing annulus 113 is provided,preferably having an angular cross section as indicated, said annulusbeing disposed in the inverted cup portion 110 between the same and thesupporting ledge 1118 of the valve housing member 106. As with the otherforms of the invention, an eifective and reliable seal is had, utilizinga resilient molded plastic valve housing member having an expansiblevalve ring or sleeve portion, the said member being reliably andpermanently mounted and retained in place, and the mounting and sealingforces on the resilient member causing such little distortion anddeformation of the latter as to not interfere with the normalfunctioning of the valve stem and valve spring.

A modified form of valve construction employing a snap-in assemblysomewhat similar to the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, isshown in FIG. 11. In this figure there is depicted a metal mounting cup640 having an upwardly dished or offset center portion 115a comprising acircular top wall 116 and a depending cylindrical side wall formation orskirt 117, the walls 16 and 17 being in the form of an inverted cup andbeing joined to a lower top wall 119 of the mounting cup 640. At thejuncture of the depending skirt 117 and the top wall 119 the mountingcup 640 is inwardly indented as shown at 121, and the said indentationmay be advantageogsly constituted as an annular inwardly projecting beaUnder the top wall 119 there is provided a relatively thick resilientsealing washer 123 for engagement with the lip of the container mouth,to efiect a seal between the latter and the mounting cup 64c. Below thecentrally disposed top wall 116 there is provided a combined valve andsealing disc 125 arranged for engagement by a valve shoulder 126 of aone-piece molded valve stem 128. The valve shoulder 126 is also engagedby a valve return spring 130 in the usual manner.

In accordance with the invention, in conjunction with the inwardlyformed annular bead 121 there is provided a resilient molded plasticvalve housing 132 having a tubular body portion 133 and an annular thinwalled expansible va-lve sleeve portion 135, the lower portion of thevalve stem 123 and the spring 130 being disposed within the meteringchamber M of the tubular body 133 of the valve housing 132. At its upperend or lip, the relatively thickwalled valve housing 132 has an annularoutwardly projecting peripheral head or shoulder 137 which is arrangedto closely fit within the dependent skirt portion 117 of the mountingcup 640. The maximum diameter of the peripheral bead 137 of the valvehousing 132 is appreciably greater than the minimum diameter of theinwardly projecitng bead 121 provided on the mountingcup 64c. Further,the upper or lip portion of the body 133 of the 1 l valve housing 132 isprovided with a rounded edge surface 139, and such organization inconjunction of the resilience of the valve housing 132 enables thelatter to be forced into the inverted cup portion 115 of the metalmounting cup 640, past the retaining bead 121. This assembly is in thenature of a snap-in action, and when the valve housing .132 is beingbrought into place the lip portion and bead 137 will be compressed anddisplaced radially inward until the retaining bead 121 is passed,whereupon the lip and bead 137 will regain substantially their originalformation. The metering valve action of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 11 is similar to that already described above and needs no furtherexplanation.

It is seen that relatively few components are involved with the valveconstruction illustrated in FIG; 11, and that the assembly of suchcomponents is extremely simple and rapid, involving merely the applyingof the sealing washer123 and 125 to the mounting cup 640, and theinsertion of the spring 130 and valve stem 128 in the valve housing 132,and finally the snap-in assembly of the valve housing 132 to themounting cup 640.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 11 is so arrangedthat the aerosol container may be pressure filled, as against thealternative procedure of cold filling the container with the aerosolsubstance in a liquid form. In effecting a pressure fill of thecontainer, the aerosol substance under pressure is forced past theexterior of the valve stem, and the valve stem may or may not beslightly mechanically depressed to facilitate this operation. A fillingnozzle is applied to the mounting cup, and as the aerosol substance isapplied under pressure against the protruding portion of the valve stemand the upper surface of the inverted cup formation 115 the valve disc125 will yield inwardly, accompanied by slight inward or downwardmovement of the valve stem 128 whereupon the pressurized aerosolsubstance will be forced downward past the exterior of the valve stemand into the metering chamber M, and from there it will be forced pastthe lower portion of the valve stem and past the expansible valve collar135 into the container. It will be understood that a slight downwardmovement of the valve stem accompanies this pressure filling operation,the said movement merely being sufficient to enable a yielding action ofthe valve disc 125 to be had, without the extent of movement beingsuflicient to close the second valve means comprising the expansiblevalve collar 135.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 12,where there is shown a sub assembly comprising a molded resilientplastic valve housing 115 in which there is disposed a valve-returnspring and a molded valve stem 118. The valve housing 115 is similar tothe housing 132 shown in FIG. 11 except that it is not adapted for useWith a dip tube. Instead, the lower portion of the valve housingterminates at a point just below the annular expansible valve collar120. Also, the lower portion of the valve stem 118 is provided witha'pair of opposite flats 122 and 123 to provide clearance between thestern and the expansible valve collar 120 when the stem is in the raisedposition illustrated.

The valve housing 115 is adapted to be press fitted within a metalmounting cup, as with the valve housing 132 shown in FIG. 11. Theorganization of FIG. 12 is intended for use with aerosol devices whereinthe container is held upside down in order to dispense the contents. Forsuch use, obviously a dip tube is not desired.

In all of the forms of thelinventi on illustrated, relatively few partsare involved, and the said parts or com ponents may be easily andeconomically fabricated and assembled, thereby resulting in a lowmanufacturing cost. The valve structure is reliable in operation at alltimes, not subject tocorrosion, and eliminates to the maximum possibleextent leakage of the contents of the container, Variationsandmodifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portionsof the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In an aerosol device, in combination, a' reciprocatable valve stem; amolded resilient plastic valve housing and closure element having a maintubular body portion in which the valve stem is reciprocatable andhaving an integral annular expansible valve portion disposed below saidtubular body portion and adapted to receive and be expanded by the lowerend of the valve stem to shut ofi the body portion from the container,said body portion also having an outwardly disposed annular supportingledge arranged to supported the element at the mouth of a pressurizedcontainer and further having an upwardly extending hollow boss disposedabove said supporting ledge; a metal mounting cup adapted to engage thecontainer mouth and to secure the said supporting ledge and closureelement in place thereon, said cup having an upper wall the outerperipheral portion of which overlies the outer peripheral part of thesupporting ledge, and having an annular side wall in which the ledgesnugly fits, and said wall further having a central raised cup-shapedportion snugly fitting and enclosing the said hollow boss of the valvehousing to impart stability to the housing; inwardly projecting means onsaid annular side wall, engageable with said ledge to retain the same inthe mounting cup; and resilient sealing means disposed between the outerperipheral part of said ledge and the outer peripheral portion of theupper wall of the mounting cup, for effecting a seal therebetween.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, in which the housing and closureelement has relatively thin Walls constituting said valve portion, andhas relatively heavy walls at the said supporting ledge.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1, in which there is a valve returnspring disposed in the body portion and surrounding the valve stem, andin which the supporting ledge is disposed intermediate the ends of thebody portions and extends radially therefrom to an appreciable extent,said ledge as secured by the mounting cup constituting a stifieningmeans tending to limit inward collapsing movement of the walls of saidtubular body portion.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3, in which there is a valve returnspring disposed in the body portion and surrounding the valve stem, andin which the walls of the body portion are relatively heavy to preventcollapse and interference with said valve spring.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1, in which the means on theannular side Wall comprises an inwardly displaced wall portion disposedgenerally below the said ledge and constituting an abutment engaged witha lower portion of the ledge, and in which the ledge has an exposedundersurface located inwardly of the said wall portion to accommodate atool for pressing the ledge into the cup.

6. In an aerosol device, in combination, a molded plastic valve housingand closure'member having a main tubular body portion in which a valvestem is reciprocatable and having an outwardly disposed annularsupporting flange on said body portion, arranged to support the memberat the mouth of a pressurized container and further having an upwardlyextending hollow boss disposed above said supporting flange; a metalmounting cup adapted to engage the container mouth and to secure thesaid supporting flange and closure member in place, said cup having anupper wall the outer peripheral portion of which is arranged to overliethe outer peripheral part of the supporting flange and in conjunctionwith the container mouth to apply clamping pressures to said peripheralpart of the flange for securing and sealing the flange to the containermouth and said wall further having a central raised cup-shaped portionsnugly fitting and enclosing the said hollow boss of the valve housingto impart stability to the housing; and an annular top seal elementdisposed between the upper surface of the said peripheral part of thesupporting flange and the outer peripheral portion of the upper Wall ofthe mounting cup, efiecting a seal therebetween, said seal element beinglocated radially inward of the side walls of the mounting cup, beingsubjected to the said clamping pressures and being confined againstappreciable displacement when under said pressures, said upper wall ofthe mounting cup having an unyielding portion directly engaged with thesupporting flange and applying force thereto in a downward direction andthe said unyielding portion being disposed radially inward of thesealing element and obstructing the same to prevent inward spreadingmovement of the element; outward spreading movement of the element beingblocked by the side walls of the mounting cup.

'7. The invention as defined in claim 6, in which the upper wall of themounting cup has an upwardly ofiset annular portion providing a shallowannular groove in its under-surface, in which the annular seal elementis disposed and by which it is confined.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7, in which the upwardly ofisetportion of the mounting cup wall extends along and is adjacent to theouter periphery of the cup, said unyielding portion of the wall beingannular and being disposed within the ofiset wall portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,871,640 Weaver Aug. 16, 1932 2,837,249 Meshberg June 3, 1958 2,932,432Beard Apr. 12, 1960 2,948,439 Glover et al. Aug. 9, 1960 2,952,278Waldherr Sept. 13, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 212,079 Australia Jan. 16, 1958

